Quality Magazine - March 2009 - (Page 34) | QUA LIT Y M EA SU REM E N T | Today’s operators can fi nd themselves faced with many material choices, including stainless steel, carbon fiber, ceramic and tungsten carbide. Accuracy, length, diameter and other details of the specific application will help a manufacturer narrow down the choices. Clark of Q-Mark says that stainless steel is the most popular stem material among his customers, primarily for its price and relatively light weight. However, for customers needing more rigidity, carbide often is a safe bet, he says. “Carbide is common for an application calling for rigidity. You can get relatively long stem lengths and relatively large diameters. And from an economic standpoint, it’s the most cost effective when you need rigidity,” Clark says. Dove notes, however, that Tungsten carbide weighs more than some other stem materials, so it might not be a choice for applications that call for a lighter weight product. “It’s stiff, but it’s heavy,” says Dove of carbide stems. Ceramic styli are stable, brittle and relatively lightweight. Source: itpstyli LLC • A fast, accurate, portable gauge for testing aluminum, brass, copper and steel. • Test a variety of shapes, extrusions, tubing and flat stock. • Models available to test thickness up to one inch. WEBSTER INSTRUMENT, INC. 11856 Mississippi Avenue Los Angeles, California 90025 EST. 1932 www.webstertesters.com Tel. 800-394-3541 • Fax 310-478-1365 Quality Quick Clicks 410 at qualitymag.com Quality Quick Clicks 411 at qualitymag.com 34 QUALITY | March 2009 www.qualitymag.com http://www.qualitycalibration.com http://www.webstertesters.com http://www.webstertesters.com http://www.qualitycalibration.com http://www.qualitymag.com http://www.qualitymag.com http://www.qualitymag.com
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